Iconic tennis commentator to leave BBC after Wimbledon

Broadcaster Andrew Castle is set to stand down as the BBC’s lead tennis commentator at the conclusion of Wimbledon next month.

The former British tennis star has been on the mic for two decades and has covered some memorable moments.

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Among the memorable moments include Andy Murray‘s Wimbledon singles titles in 2013 and 2016.

And in an interview with The Times, Castle has revealed that former chief of The Athletic Alex Kay-Jelski has decided to take the BBC’s coverage in a different direction.

He said: “To be honest, when I got the job 23 years ago, a lot of the more experienced commentators felt that they should have been first in line.

“Their noses were put out of joint. So, in the wider scheme of things, I am lucky that I had the best gig in sports broadcasting for so long, during the greatest age of men’s tennis.

“My wife Sophia and I are building a house and we’re about to have a third grandchild, so things are good.

“I am not sure what will come next professionally, but whatever it is, I’ll embrace it.”

The 62-year-old’s exit follows Sue Barker’s in 2022 as the BBC refresh their tennis coverage.

Castle added: “It’s been a hell of a journey.

“I can’t say I have enjoyed every minute because there have been moments of pressure and controversy, but it has been a huge privilege.

“Luck is a big factor in life and I’ve had my fair share. But you’ve got to make your own luck in the world. And that means putting yourself out there, getting rejected and picking yourself up.”

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Best moment

Castle has seen it all at Wimbledon.

From Carlos Alcaraz‘s first in SW19 to Roger Federer‘s record-breaking eighth title.

But for Castle, there is one moment that stands out from all of them, and that is Murray finally getting over the line in 2013 to claim his first Men’s Singles title at Wimbledon is clear.

It ended a run of 77 years without a homegrown men’s winner at Wimbledon.

On that moment, he said: “That last game was something. Murray had three match points, which [Novak] Djokovic saved.

“The tension was unbearable. The director asked for a push into Andy’s eyes, a lingering shot as he was grimacing after a gruelling rally.

“I think it was deuce. He was two points away from the thing he’d always dreamt of. A line came to me: ‘Sporting immortality doesn’t come easily.’”